How to alter the size of a shirt from large to small?(Pictures inside)?

I'm working with a shirt(sleevless) that is 100% Polyester(not the greatest material to work with) and the shirt color is black. I like the length of the shirt but the neckline and the arm holes are too large. How can I reconfigure this shirt to a smaller size? (I love the sheerness of the shirt but altogether it's just too large on me) I'm thinking of simply taking out the seems then sewing it back together...?

Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boredeux?hide_photostream_welcome=1

Thanks in advance!

Anonymous2011-08-09T09:59:29Z

Favorite Answer

Pin the shirt shoulders together, thus raising the neckline and the armhole (you can always deepen the neckline a bit later -- but this is the only good way of decreasing the size of the neckline and leaving the front and back of the shirt plain). Take the same amount of fabric out of the front and back of the shoulders -- otherwise the shirt may want to pitch back over your shoulders later.

When you get the neckline downsized that way, then pin in the side seams. Sew and trim all seams.

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There's another way that you can downsize the neckline and that's to take pintucks or pleats, spaced across the front and back of the shirt. Again, take the same amount of fabric out of the front and back of the shirt. Reshape the side seams as you wish.

Anonymous2011-08-09T09:24:36Z

Put it on inside-out and have a friend help you pin the shirt in the shape that you prefer. Sew a new seam along the pinned bit, then cut off the excess, and presto :D